Prominent women personalities to speak at panel discussion marking International Women's Day

The event, sponsored by Dubai Media City, will see outstanding women from both the UAE and the region's economic, social and political spheres discussing a wide range of concerns facing women today in the areas of development, human rights, security and disasters, media.

The panel discussion to be held in the Knowledge Village Auditorium will be centred on the theme: 'Gender Equality 2005: Building a More Secure Future'. Four speakers will discuss women's issues and empowerment at the beginning of the event. This will be followed by two discussions in Arabic on: 'Social Welfare Facing Women in the Gulf Countries' and 'Women's Role in Media in the GCC Countries and their Role in Creating Social Change'.

"For the women of the world, the symbolism of International Women's Day has a wider meaning," said the organizers of the panel discussion. "It is an occasion to review how far women have come in their struggle for equality, peace and development. It is also an opportunity to unite, network and mobilize for meaningful change," she added.

Abdulhamid Juma, CEO of Dubai Media City, which is supporting the event said: "Ensuring the equal participation of women is key to our economic development today. Larger issues concerning women have a bearing on every field of social and economic life. The panel discussions give us an opportunity to promote exchange of views on women-related issues in the media industry and other issues concerning their social welfare here in their respective societies," he added.

An exhibition on the sidelines of the event will see display booths organised by a number of countries including India, Pakistan, Eritrea and the UAE. The booth will illustrate cultural, social and professional issues relevant to women in each of these countries.

An exhibition of works by UAE women artists will be showcased in the lobby of the Knowledge Village Auditorium. Also on display will be books written by UAE women published by the Abu Dhabi Cultural Foundation and four UAE documentaries on women.

Some of the speakers at the event include H.E. Michele J. Sison, Ambassador of the United States of America; Hon. Saida Agrebi, Vice President of the World Family Organization (WFO), WFO President of Magreb Mothers Organization OMMA and President of Tunisian Mothers' Association, ATM; Latifa Fekri, Manager, Sales and Business Development, Etisalat and a Dubai Women's College graduate; and Ruba Hassan, Program Analyst, United Nations Development Program (UNDP).

Some of the other participants are: Dr. Muna Al Bahar (UAE), Dr. Ibtisam Al Kutubi (UAE), Dr. Suad Al Marzouqi (UAE), Dr. Hind Al Qassimi (UAE), Sheikha Maisoon Al Qassimi (UAE) and Dr. Aisha Abdulla (UAE).